CONCEPTUAL

FRAMEWORK
WHAT IS A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

• A “graphical or in a narrative form showing the key variables

or constructs to be studied and the presumed relationships
between them” (Miles & Huberman, 1994, p.18 in Dickson
Adom
• ttps://
www.researchgate.net/...Framework...Conceptual_Framework.
..Research/.../TH... )
WHAT IS A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

• A conceptual framework represents the researcher’s synthesis

of literature on how to explain a phenomenon. It maps out the
actions required in the course of the study based on previous
knowledge of other researchers’ point of view and
observations on the subject of research (
http://simplyeducate.me/2015/01/05/conceptual-framework-gu
ide
/)
WHAT IS A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

• Conceptual framework is essential to bring focus within the

content and also acts as a link between literature, methodology
and results.
• (Datt, 2015)
WHAT IS A CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

In research a conceptual framework

• Is constructed, not found
• It incorporates pieces that are borrowed from elsewhere, but
the structure, the overall coherence, is something that you
build,
• It is not something that exists ready-made.
• It is important to pay attention to the existing theories and
research that are relevant to what you plan to study
(https://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/
48274_ch_3.pdf)
 IMPORTANCE OF CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK
• It is a conception or model of what is out there that you plan to
study,
• It is what is going on with what you plan to study and why
• It is a tentative theory of the phenomena that you are
investigating.
• The function of this theory is to inform the rest of your design
— to help you to assess and refine your goals, develop
realistic and relevant research questions, select appropriate
methods, and identify potential validity threats to your
research
• (https://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/
48274_ch_3.pdf)
 CONSTRUCTING A CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK
• In constructing a conceptual framework, your purpose is not
only descriptive, but also critical
• you need to understand (and clearly communicate in your
proposal or research paper) what problems there have been
with previous research and theory, what contradictions or
holes you have found in existing views, and how your study
can make an original contribution to our understanding.
• (https://www.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/
48274_ch_3.pdf)
 STEPS IN DEVELOPING CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK
• Choose your topic
• Do a literature review
• Isolate the important variables
• Generate the conceptual framework
 KEY STEPS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
• Identify the key variables used in the subject area of your
study.
• Draw out key variables within something you have already
written about the subject area i.e. literature review.
• Take one key variable and then brainstorm all the possible
things related to the key variable.
• After all the variables have been defined, focus on number of
relationships they can form with each other to determine the
inter-relationships between all.
• (Datt, 2015)
FLOW CHART

(Datt, 2015)
 TREE DIAGRAM

(Datt, 2015)
 SOURCE

Datt, S. (2015)Developing conceptual framework in a research

paper. Retrieved from
https://www.projectguru.in/publications/developing-conceptual-
frameworkthesis-dissertation
/